The Karen Burt Memorial Award
Established in memory of Dr Karen Burt, this award celebrates exceptional women who have achieved Chartered Engineer (CEng) status and demonstrate outstanding potential, leadership and advocacy in engineering.
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Established in
1998
Over 25 years of impact and recognition
Nominated by
PEIs
Professional Engineering Institutions
Alumnae of
25+
Outstanding Chartered
Engineers
Annual award
£1,000
Alongside national recognition
Dr Karen Burt was a space scientist, systems engineer and Women’s Engineering Society campaigner who championed the recruitment, retention and progression of women in engineering, particularly those returning after career breaks.
After studying at Newnham College, Cambridge and completing a PhD at University of Reading, she built a distinguished career in satellite engineering at British Aerospace before later contributing to aerospace research at University College London.
Nominations open 29 July 2026
Following her death in 1997, the Karen Burt Memorial Award was established by Professor Cyril Hilsum and WES to recognise newly Chartered women engineers who demonstrate exceptional technical ability, leadership potential and a commitment to advancing the engineering profession.
Professional Engineering Institutions can nominate one woman engineer each year who has achieved Chartered status and demonstrates exceptional technical competence, leadership potential and commitment to the engineering profession, with nominations submitted directly through the WES award platform.
➢ Eligibility & Application Criteria
Each Institution may nominate one newly chartered woman engineer.
The candidate must have achieved Chartership between 1 March 2025 and 28 February 2026.
The candidate must be a UK resident. Candidates temporarily working outside of the UK will be deemed eligible only if their contract is under six months in duration, or if they are a serving member of the armed forces.
Candidates can only be nominated once.
Deadline for nominations is 21 September, 2026
➢ Judges’ criteria
Professional Achievement
Evidence of strong technical competence and professional development.
Contributions
Positive impact within your organisation and / or the wider engineering community.
Leadership Potential
Potential to take on greater responsibility and influence in the future.
Impact
Measurable outcomes or benefits resulting from your work and initiatives.
Nomination process
PEI to select their candidate for nomination
1.
Candidates to submit nomination
2.
Provide any additional information requested (references may be required).
3.
Guidance documents
Please read the following documents for full details and guidance.
Award winners
“The Karen Burt Award is a powerful affirmation of excellence and potential.
-Katy Turf, Engineering Council
2025 Juliette Goddard, IMECHE
2024 Kerry Evans, Institution of Highways & Transportation (IHE)
2023 Dr Kelly Loukatou, Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
2022 Dr Emma Walton, Institute of Physics (IoP)
2021 Eleanor Earl, Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
2020 Tina Gunnarson, Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
2019 Mandy Lester, Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
2018 Dr Susan Deeny, Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE)
2017 Madeleine Jones, Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
2016 Clare Lavelle, Energy Institute (EI)
2015 Helen Randell, Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
2014 Elaine Greaney, Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
2013 Molly Stevens, Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3)
2012 Kate Cooksey, Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)2011 Gemma Whatling, Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
2010 Julie Templeton, Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
2009 Katy Deacon, Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
2008 Emily Spearman, Institution of Engineers (IE)
2007 Jane Hunter, Institution of Highways & Transportation (IHT)
2006 Louise McDevitt, Institution of Highways & Transportation (IHT)
2005 Katy Roelich, Institution of Water and Environmental Management (IWEM)
2004 Suzanne Bland, Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
2003 Jane Wild, Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
2002 Helen Marson, Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
2001 Beth Hutchison, British Computer Society (BCS)
2000 Una McQuaid Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
1999 Rebecca Dowsett, Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE)The Karen Burt Memorial Award Impact Report
The Karen Burt Impact report is both a celebration and a reflection. It explores the impact of this long-standing investment in inclusive engineering leadership and honours the legacy of the Karen Burt Alumnae community it has helped to build.
As well as exploring its impact over time, we also recommend new opportunities to enhance its future direction and expand its contribution to the engineering profession.
Want to support a more inclusive engineering profession?
Join WES and connect with a network of women engineers driving a more inclusive future.